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Painter Invoice Template AustraliaFree, ATO-Compliant & Ready to Use

A free painting invoice template for Australian sole traders and small painting businesses. Covers m2 pricing, prep vs coats, paint markup, ABN, and 10% GST - plus the state-by-state rules on licensing and deposits that catch painters out. Or skip the template and use Invio to invoice straight from your phone on site.

No credit card - GST calculated automatically - Send from your phone

ATO Requirements

What Goes on a Painter Invoice in Australia

A GST-registered painter's tax invoice needs more than just a total. Here's what the ATO requires and what your customer needs to see.

Your business details

  • Business name (or your name if sole trader)

  • ABN - required on every tax invoice

  • Phone number and email

  • Physical or postal address

Invoice identifiers

  • Invoice number (sequential, for your records)

  • Invoice date

  • Payment due date

  • BSB and bank account for payment

Job and line items

  • Description of work - interior or exterior, e.g. "Exterior repaint - weatherboard, 2 coats"

  • Surface area (m2) or hours, matching how you quoted

  • Prep, undercoat, and topcoat as separate lines where possible

  • Paint and materials at cost + markup, listed separately

  • Scaffolding or access equipment hire (if applicable)

GST breakdown

  • Subtotal (ex GST)

  • GST amount at 10%

  • Total amount payable (inc GST)

  • Customer identity (required for invoices A$1,000 or more)

Not GST-registered yet?

If your painting business earns under A$75,000/year you do not have to register for GST. Do not charge GST and never use the words "Tax Invoice" - that title is reserved for GST-registered suppliers. Issue a plain invoice showing your total instead. Once you cross the threshold, registration is required within 21 days. Check the full AU tax invoice requirements guide if you are unsure.

Varies by State

Licensing and Deposits Are Set State by State

Australia doesn't have one national painting licence or one national deposit rule. Both are set by your state, and getting the deposit wrong can put you offside with your own customer.

NSW

A$5,000

labour + materials, incl. GST

Contractor licence, NSW Fair Trading, under the Home Building Act 1989

QLD

A$3,300

labour + materials, incl. GST

Trade contractor licence, Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)

VIC

A$10,000

domestic building work generally, but painting done as the only trade on the job is exempt from registration regardless of value

Registered building practitioner, Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Building Act 1993

Every other state and territory sets its own threshold and licensing body. Before you quote a job, check your own state or territory's building or fair trading regulator rather than assuming a number from interstate.

Deposits are capped by law, not just custom

In NSW, the maximum deposit for residential building work is 10% of the contract price, and it is an offence under the Home Building Act 1989 (s8) to demand or receive more, or to enter a contract that entitles you to. Victoria and Queensland cap deposits at roughly 5-10% depending on the contract value (Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 and the QBCC Act respectively). If you've been quoting a flat 20-30% deposit before ordering paint, check your own state's actual cap first - going over it isn't just poor practice, in NSW it's an offence.

Sample Invoice

What a Painting Invoice Looks Like

A realistic example for an exterior repaint on a weatherboard Queenslander in Brisbane.

INV-0146.pdf

Bulimba Painting & Decorating Pty Ltd

12 Oxford Street
Bulimba QLD 4171
ABN: 83 217 940 665
0417 552 908

Tax Invoice

Invoice No.

INV-0146

Issue Date

27 Jul 2026

Due Date

10 Aug 2026

Billed To

Grace & Tom Whitfield

9 Hawthorne Road
Hawthorne QLD 4171

Job Reference

Exterior repaint - weatherboard Queenslander, 2 coats Dulux Weathershield

Scaffolding hire

2 weeks hire, full house exterior access

Rate

$260.00

Qty

2

Amount

$520.00

Prep - scrape, sand & fill

Water-blast, scrape flaking paint, fill cracks, sand back

Rate

$75.00

Qty

14.0

Amount

$1,050.00

Undercoat - exterior walls & trim

1 coat primer/undercoat, weatherboard + trim

Rate

$75.00

Qty

9.0

Amount

$675.00

Topcoat - 2 finish coats

Weatherboard, trim and fascia, Dulux Weathershield

Rate

$75.00

Qty

16.0

Amount

$1,200.00

Paint & materials

Dulux Weathershield + trim paint, materials at cost + margin

Rate

$1,150.00

Qty

1

Amount

$1,150.00

Waste disposal

Paint tins and drop sheets - transfer station

Rate

$55.00

Qty

1

Amount

$55.00

Payment Details

Please pay to:
Bulimba Painting & Decorating Pty Ltd
BSB: 064-020 Acc: 2201 5588
Reference: INV-0146

Subtotal

$4,650.00

GST (10%)

$465.00

Total Due

$5,115.00

Want this pre-filled with your business name, ABN, BSB, and rates?

Step-by-Step

How to Fill Out a Painter Invoice

Follow these steps after every job to get paid faster and stay on the right side of the ATO.

1

Fill in your business details

Add your trading name, ABN, address, phone, and email at the top. If you trade as Bulimba Painting & Decorating Pty Ltd, use that - not your personal name. Your ABN must appear on every tax invoice you issue.

2

Set the invoice number and dates

Use a sequential number - INV-0146 after INV-0145. The invoice date is today. Set a due date (14 days is standard for residential repaints). Consistent numbering helps if you ever need to prove payment history.

3

Add the customer details

For invoices A$1,000 or more you must include the customer's identity - name and address is the simplest way to satisfy this. Do it on every job, including when you're billing a rental property manager rather than the homeowner directly.

4

Match the invoice to how you quoted

If you quoted per m2, show the m2 rate and area on the invoice, not a single lump sum. If you quoted hourly, show hours x rate. Consistency between the quote and the invoice is the single biggest thing that prevents a payment dispute.

5

List prep, coats, and materials separately

Split prep work, undercoat/primer, and topcoat (finish coats) into their own lines, then add paint and materials at cost + markup as a separate line. Example: "Topcoat - 2 finish coats: 16 hrs x $75 = $1,200.00". Add scaffolding or access equipment hire as its own line too.

6

Calculate GST and show it clearly

Multiply your subtotal by 0.10 to get the GST amount. Show subtotal, GST, and total as three separate lines - never just a single total. Use the free Invio GST calculator at /gst-calculator-au if you want a quick check before sending.

7

Add your BSB and bank details, then send

Include your BSB and account number, and ask the customer to use your invoice number as the payment reference. Then send it as soon as the last coat is dry. "Pay to: Bulimba Painting & Decorating Pty Ltd, BSB 064-020, Acc 2201 5588, Ref: INV-0146" is all you need.

Older Properties

Lead Paint on Older Homes

Genuinely worth knowing before you quote a repaint on a pre-1970 property, not just for your customer's sake.

Built before 1970?

Paint containing lead was commonly used in Australian homes built before 1970. If you're sanding, scraping, or heat-stripping paint on an older property, assume it contains lead until you've tested it.

Test before you disturb it

The Australian Government's Lead Alert guide recommends testing paint before starting work, then using wet sanding, wet scraping, or chemical stripping rather than dry sanding or open-flame heat guns, which release lead dust and fumes.

A WHS duty, not just advice

If you run a painting business, work health and safety laws require you to manage the risk of lead exposure to yourself, your team, and the occupants. Check your state WHS regulator's lead-paint guidance before quoting a pre-1970 repaint.

Watch Out For

Common Painter Invoice Mistakes

These mistakes slow payment, create disputes, or put you offside with the ATO or your state regulator. Easy to fix once you know them.

Invoice does not match the quote

e.g. Quoted $32/m2, invoiced "Painting - $2,720" with no breakdown

If you quoted per m2, show the same m2 rate and area on the invoice. A mismatched format - even at the correct total - invites the customer to question the number.

Prep and coats lumped together

e.g. "Exterior paint job - $3,150"

List prep, undercoat, and topcoat as separate lines. It shows the customer what they paid for and protects you if there is ever a question about how many coats were applied.

Wrong or missing GST

e.g. "Total: $5,115" with no GST line

Show subtotal, 10% GST, and GST-inclusive total as three separate lines - or the statement "Total price includes GST". Commercial and rental-management customers need this to claim GST credits.

Asking for a deposit above your state's cap

e.g. "30% deposit required before we order paint"

Check your state cap first - NSW caps residential deposits at 10% by law, VIC and QLD at roughly 5-10%. A deposit above the cap is not just bad practice, in NSW it is an offence.

No BSB or bank details on the invoice

e.g. Invoice sent with no payment instructions

Always include your BSB and account number, and ask for the invoice number as the payment reference. No bank details means slow or lost payments.

Sending the invoice days after finishing

e.g. Invoice sent a week after the last coat dried

Send it as soon as the job is done and the site is tidy. If an invoice is already overdue, see our guide on chasing overdue invoices at /chase-overdue-invoices-au.

Line Item Guide

Painter-Specific Line Items

These are the line items most Australian painters use. Rates vary - metro areas tend to run higher than regional centres.

Standard labour rate

$65 - $90/hr

Ex GST. Metro areas tend to run higher; regional Australia lower.

Interior repaint (per m2)

$28 - $45/m2

Includes standard prep and 2 coats. Higher for dark-to-light colour changes.

Exterior repaint (per m2)

$40 - $65/m2

Higher than interior due to access, weather delays, and heavier prep.

Paint & materials markup

Cost + 20 - 30%

Covers handling and supplier runs. List materials at your sell price - you don't need to show your cost.

Scaffolding / access equipment hire

$250 - $650/week

Usually passed through at cost, sometimes with a small margin for arranging it.

Waste disposal

$40 - $70 flat

For paint tins, drop sheets, and other job waste.

GST

10% on all items

Applied to the subtotal if you are GST-registered. Use the free /gst-calculator-au to check.

GST example: Painter A bills $70/hr labour and paint at cost + 20% margin. For a 16-hour exterior job with $600 in paint and materials: ($1,120 + $720) = $1,840 subtotal. GST: $184.00. Total: $2,024.00. Use the GST calculator to check your numbers before sending.

Invio vs Templates

Why Invio Beats Word and Excel for Painters

Templates are a fine starting point. But most painters move to proper software once they are quoting multiple jobs a week.

Invoice from site once the job is done

Fill in the m2 area, prep, coats, and materials before you pack up the ute. No paperwork to reconstruct at the end of the week, and the customer gets it while the paint is still drying.

GST calculated automatically

Invio does the 10% for you across labour, materials, and any scaffolding hire - no spreadsheet formula to accidentally break.

Saved clients and m2 rates

Store your repeat customers and standard m2 rates. Next job for the Whitfields? Two taps and the invoice is half-filled already.

Quotes that turn straight into invoices

Build the quote with your m2 rate and area, then convert it to an invoice once the job is done - the numbers carry across so nothing gets retyped or mismatched.

Payment reminders built in

Invio Pro sends automatic follow-ups when invoices go overdue - so you are not the one making awkward calls to a homeowner who owes you for paint you already bought.

PDF ready to email or print

Send the invoice by email directly from Invio, or download a clean PDF if the customer or property manager prefers paper.

Ready to invoice your next painting job properly?

Start with the free AU invoice template, or sign up to Invio and send your first painting invoice in under two minutes - GST calculated, ABN and BSB saved, and the PDF ready to email before you leave the site.

FAQ

Painter Invoice FAQs

Common questions from Australian painters about invoicing, GST, licensing, and getting paid.

Do I need to add GST to my painting invoice?
If your painting business is GST-registered (required once your turnover passes A$75,000/yr), yes - you must charge 10% GST and show it clearly, either as a separate amount or the statement "Total price includes GST". If you are under the threshold and not registered, do not charge GST, and do not use the words "Tax Invoice" - issue a plain invoice instead.
What's the minimum information a painter invoice needs in Australia?
For sales of A$82.50 or less, a tax invoice is not required unless the customer asks for one (you then have 28 days to provide it). For sales over A$82.50 up to A$1,000, your tax invoice needs seven details: the words "Tax Invoice", your business name, your ABN, the invoice date, a description of the work, the price, and the GST amount. For A$1,000 or more, you also need the customer's identity or ABN. See the full breakdown at /tax-invoice-requirements-au.
Do painters need a licence in Australia?
It depends entirely on your state and the value of the job - there is no single national painting licence. NSW requires a contractor licence for painting work over A$5,000 (labour and materials, including GST); Queensland requires a QBCC licence for building work over A$3,300; Victoria sets a A$10,000 domestic building threshold but exempts painting done as the only trade on the job, regardless of value. Every other state and territory sets its own number - check your own regulator before you quote. Many painters also join a state Master Painters association for accreditation, which is separate from any licensing requirement.
How much deposit can I ask for on a painting job?
Less than you might think, and it is capped by law in most states, not just custom. In NSW, the maximum deposit for residential building work is 10% of the contract price, and it is an offence under the Home Building Act 1989 to demand or receive more. Victoria and Queensland cap deposits at roughly 5-10% depending on the contract value. Check your own state's cap before you quote a deposit - a flat "30% upfront" rule of thumb can put you offside with your own customer.
Should undercoat and topcoat be listed separately on the invoice?
Yes, where you can. Splitting prep, undercoat/primer, and topcoat (finish coats) into separate lines shows the customer exactly what they paid for and protects you if there is a question later about how many coats were applied. It also gives you real numbers for pricing the next job accurately.
How do I charge for scaffolding or access equipment?
If you hire scaffolding, a scissor lift, or extension ladders for a job, add it as its own line item rather than folding it into your labour rate. Most painters pass the hire cost straight through, sometimes with a small margin to cover the admin of arranging it. If you're GST-registered, GST still applies to the hire charge on your invoice even though the hire company already charged you GST on their invoice to you.
Is lead paint something I need to worry about?
If the property was built before 1970, assume the existing paint contains lead until you have tested it. Dry sanding, scraping, or heat-gun stripping releases lead dust and fumes - the Australian Government's Lead Alert guide recommends testing first, then using wet sanding, wet scraping, or chemical stripping instead. This is not just homeowner advice: work health and safety laws require a painting business to manage the risk of lead exposure to yourself, your team, and the occupants, so check the lead-paint guidance published by your state's WHS regulator before quoting a pre-1970 repaint.
What about progress claims on bigger jobs?
For larger residential or commercial jobs that qualify as construction work, most Australian states (and, since August 2022, WA too) have Security of Payment legislation giving you a formal payment claim process with statutory timeframes. There is no single national timeframe - each state's Act sets its own - so check the specific Act that applies where the job is, or ask a small-claims tribunal in your state if a claim is disputed.
Get Started

Invoice Every Painting Job Correctly, From Your Phone

Invio is free for sole traders. Set up your m2 rates once, send GST-compliant tax invoices from site with your ABN and BSB saved, and let automatic reminders handle the chase - free on your first 3 invoices, unlimited on Pro.

Free to start - GST calculated automatically - No credit card required